Washington
Washington

Washington

In Washington, AED programs are required to follow protocols for maintenance, training, medical oversight, placement reporting, and EMS activation. The Good Samaritan law protects participants involved in AED-related activities only, not other program tasks. Immunity does not depend on meeting specific administrative criteria. Additionally, AEDs must be available in all dental offices.

Washington Law Key Takeaways

Requirement

Summary

Good Samaritan Law
Civil immunity is extended to rescuers, AED acquirers, physicians, trainers, and others under the law.
AED Training
Those acquiring a defibrillator must ensure that all intended users receive proper training in its operation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as per an approved course from the department of health.
AED Maintenance
The acquirer of the defibrillator must regularly maintain and test it according to the operational guidelines specified by the manufacturer.
Medical Oversight
Upon acquiring a defibrillator, the individual or entity responsible seeks medical advice from a licensed physician regarding its operation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques. Moreover, they are required to notify the local emergency medical services about the defibrillator's whereabouts and availability.
AED Use
After using the defibrillator in an emergency, the user must quickly contact 911 or the local emergency services equivalent and provide any requested follow-up information to healthcare providers or emergency medical services.
Schools
Each school district operating a high school is required to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction to its students as part of its curriculum.
Dentist
Dental offices offering minimal, moderate, deep sedation, or general anesthesia are required to maintain an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on their premises.

Washington Statutes and Regulations

(1) As used in this section, “defibrillator” means a semiautomatic external defibrillator as prescribed by a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW or an osteopath licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW.

(2) A person or entity who acquires a defibrillator shall ensure that:

(a) Expected defibrillator users receive reasonable instruction in defibrillator use and cardiopulmonary resuscitation by a course approved by the department of health;

(b) The defibrillator is maintained and tested by the acquirer according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines;

(c) Upon acquiring a defibrillator, medical direction is enlisted by the acquirer from a licensed physician in the use of the defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(d) The person or entity who acquires a defibrillator shall notify the local emergency medical services organization about the existence and the location of the defibrillator; and

(e) The defibrillator user shall call 911 or its local equivalent as soon as possible after the emergency use of the defibrillator and shall assure that appropriate follow-up data is made available as requested by emergency medical service or other health care providers.

(3) A person who uses a defibrillator at the scene of an emergency and all other persons and entities providing services under this section are immune from civil liability for any personal injury that results from any act or omission in the use of the defibrillator in an emergency setting.

(4) The immunity from civil liability does not apply if the acts or omissions amount to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

(5) The requirements of subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to any individual using a defibrillator in an emergency setting if that individual is acting as a good Samaritan under RCW 4.24.300.

(1) Each school district that operates a high school must offer instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to students as provided in this section. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be included in at least one health class necessary for graduation.

(2) Instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation under this section must:

(a) Be an instructional program developed by the American heart association or the American red cross or be nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(b) Include appropriate use of an automated external defibrillator, which may be taught by video; and

(c) Incorporate hands-on practice in addition to cognitive learning.

(3) School districts may offer the instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation directly or arrange for the instruction to be provided by available community-based providers. The instruction is not required to be provided by a certificated teacher. Certificated teachers providing the instruction are not required to be certified trainers of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A student is not required to earn certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to successfully complete the instruction for the purposes of this section.

(1) An automated external defibrillator is often a critical component in the chain of survival for a cardiac arrest victim.

(2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with school districts and stakeholder groups, shall develop guidance for a medical emergency response and automated external defibrillator program for high schools.

(3) The medical emergency response and automated external defibrillator program must comply with current evidence-based guidance from the American heart association or other national science organization.

(4) The office of the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the department of health, shall assist districts in carrying out a program under this section, including providing guidelines and advice for seeking grants for the purchase of automated external defibrillators or seeking donations of automated external defibrillators. The superintendent may coordinate with local health districts or other organizations in seeking grants and donations for this purpose.

(1) Any person, including but not limited to a volunteer provider of emergency or medical services, who without compensation or the expectation of compensation renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency or who participates in transporting, not for compensation, therefrom an injured person or persons for emergency medical treatment shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such emergency care or in transporting such persons, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. Any person rendering emergency care during the course of regular employment and receiving compensation or expecting to receive compensation for rendering such care is excluded from the protection of this subsection.

(4) Any school district employee not licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW who renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency during an officially designated school activity or who participates in transporting therefrom an injured person or persons for emergency medical treatment shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such emergency care or in transporting such persons, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

Defibrillator in dental offices.

(1) Every dental office in the state of Washington that administers minimal, moderate, or deep sedation, or general anesthesia, as defined in WAC 246-817-710, must have an automated external defibrillator (AED) or defibrillator.

(2) The dentist and staff must have access to the AED or defibrillator in an emergency, and it must be available and in reach within sixty seconds.

(3) A dental office may share a single AED or defibrillator with adjacent businesses if it meets the requirements in this section.

General anesthesia and deep sedation [dental offices]

(5) Equipment and emergency medications: All offices in which general anesthesia (including deep sedation) is administered must comply with the following equipment standards:

(g) Ancillary equipment which must include the following:

(xi) Defibrillator or automatic external defibrillator (AED) available and in reach within sixty seconds from any area where general or deep anesthesia care is being delivered. Multiple AEDs or defibrillators may be necessary in large facilities. The AED or defibrillator must be on the same floor. (In dental office settings where sedation or general anesthesia are not administered, AEDs or defibrillators are required as defined in WAC 246-817-722.)

*Codes and regulations cited from Justia US Law.

**Codes and regulations cited from Wa.gov.

Note: This page serves as an educational resource on Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and related legal frameworks. AEDleader.com provides this content for general knowledge purposes and does not claim it to be exhaustive or infallible regarding interpretations of AED laws. It should not be considered legal counsel. We invite you to contact us for detailed guidance on complying with AED regulations specific to your location.

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